Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin 2021

Joseph Drouhin is a Beaune house founded in the late nineteenth century, farming 78 hectares across the Côte de Nuits, Chablis, the Côte de Beaune and the Côte Chalonnaise, all worked organically and biodynamically, alongside fruit bought from trusted local growers. This wine is a single-variety Pinot Noir from the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, the largest and one of the most powerful communes of the Côte de Nuits. The vineyards lie on limestone and marl over the slope, where the stony, well-drained soils and a cool continental climate hold the grape's bright acidity and give Gevrey its firmer, more structured frame than its neighbours. Ageing runs to 16 months in French oak barrels, the slow oxygen exchange softening the tannins and adding cedar and a faint spice without masking the fruit. The wine is bright ruby. The nose shows red cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of rose over earth, oak and a savoury forest-floor note. The palate is medium bodied, with fine tannin, fresh red fruit, a turn of black pepper and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 16 degrees in a wide glass. It suits roast duck, game birds and mushroom dishes.